Ready for class IV rapids? Here’s your guide to rafting the Middle Fork of the American River.
Cutting through the rugged canyons of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Middle Fork of the American River offers thrilling Class IV rapids, making it a top destination for whitewater rafting in California.
I did the 1 Day Rafting Trip with Tributary Whitewater Tours in late September, and it was easily one of my most exciting experiences. I highly recommend them! I also did a half day on the South Fork with them earlier in the summer, which is perfect for beginners and a great warm-up before taking on Class IV rapids.
Here's an overview of the Middle Fork rafting trip to help you prepare for your adventure.
A Few Tips for Whitewater Rafting on the American River:
What to wear:
I recommend a long-sleeved rash guard, cargo pants, water shoes, and a brimmed hat. The sun is strong, and you'll be out there for hours, so it's best to stay covered. If you get hot, you can always cool off by jumping in the river—they actually encourage it!
What to bring:
Water bottle
Sunscreen
GoPro or Insta360 (they provide helmets with clips).
What not to bring:
Keys, cellphones, or valuables. If your boat flips, you'll likely lose them. They collect keys; you can leave your phone in the shuttle or car.
Best Time of Year for rafting the Middle Fork:
May through September. As a dam-controlled river, water levels stay consistent, though season length and release days may vary.
TRIP OVERVIEW & ITINERARY
Trip Stats
Time: 8 PM – 4 PM
Length: 17 miles
Class: III, IV, IV+
Age: 14+
Meals: Riverside deli lunch included
Notable Rapids: Tunnel Chute, Bus Crash, Kanaka, Ruck-a-Chucky Falls, Chunder
Meet Up and Launch
We met our guides and fellow rafters at 8 a.m. at Crooked Lane Brewing Company in Auburn, then took a one-hour shuttle down the canyon to the launch site. After suiting up, we had a safety briefing before launching and hitting the first Class III rapid, "Good Morning."
Tunnel Chute
One of the biggest rapids comes shortly into the start of the trip: the famous Tunnel Chute. Originally blasted out by gold miners in the 1800s, this Class IV+ rapid takes you through a narrow chute before dropping into a rock tunnel. I won’t lie—I was nervous, especially about flipping out of the boat.
We hit "Last Chance" (Class III) before entering the chute, and sure enough—we flipped! But once we surfaced, caught our breath, and realized we were safe, it wasn’t so bad. After the drop, the rapids mellow out as you enter the tunnel, slowing down to a calm pool where all you have to do is float. Another boat from our tour scooped us up, and after regrouping, we got back in the raft and kept going!
Kanaka, Bus Crash, & More
After Tunnel Chute, we hit more Class III-IV rapids including Class IV "Kanaka." We watched the boat ahead of us disappear as it dropped into the rapid. I would say that Kanaka was one of my favorite rapids—very exciting with big splashes!
Lunch on River
We floated along a calm stretch of the river, and with the midday sun pushing temps into the high 90s, we decided to cool off by jumping in and swimming alongside the raft. Afterward, we stopped at a sandy spot for about an hour, where our guides set up a delicious lunch of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and lemonade.
Chunder Rapid, Ruck a Chucky Falls Portage
After lunch, we continued floating down the river, eager for more rapids. Next up was Chunder (Class IV), followed by the portage section where we got out and walked along the river while our guides navigated Ruck-a-Chucky Falls, a Class V+ rapid that's too dangerous for anyone but expert rafters.
Lower Canyon Rapids
After getting back in the rafts, we hit non-stop rapids including Cleavage, Parallel Parking, Ski Jump, and Catapult to finish the day’s run. Each rapid came in quick succession, keeping the ride fast-paced and exciting!
Final Stretch and Departure
The final stretch of the Middle Fork was calm, marking the end of our trip. With the rapids behind us, I felt thankful for taking on this adventure. Any nerves I had at the start were long gone—and, by the way, we didn’t fall out on any other rapids!
We hopped out of the rafts and boarded the shuttle for the 25-minute ride out of the canyon and back to Crooked Lane Brewing.
Return to Crooked Lane
Back at Crooked Lane Brewery, we grabbed a couple of cold beers and relaxed. We watched the photos taken at Tunnel Chute displayed on the big projector, reliving the day's highlights. The photos are available for purchase for $75.
After saying goodbye to our guide and fellow rafters, I couldn’t help but think about how incredible the trip was. I’m already looking forward to doing it all over again next season!
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the Whitewater Rafting on the Middle Fork of the American River!
WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION HERE:
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